Liability of Sports Clubs for Volunteer Misconduct

When Volunteers Cross the Line, Who’s Responsible?

Volunteers are the heartbeat of youth and community sports. They drive carpool vans, set up practice fields, hand out jerseys, and spend evenings coaching kids simply because they care. But when one of those volunteers betrays that trust, when they hurt a child or cross personal boundaries, it’s more than just a personal violation. It becomes a question of who allowed it to happen.

Parents often come to us with a heavy question: Can we hold the club or organization legally responsible?

At Horn Wright, LLP, our sports sex assault lawyers have worked with families across New York whose children were abused by adults volunteering in sports programs. Many clubs believe that calling someone a “volunteer” shields them from blame. But that’s not how the law sees it. If the club failed to prevent abuse, or ignored signs that something was wrong, it can and should be held accountable.

Abuse Hides Behind Familiar Faces

Volunteer misconduct rarely starts with an obvious act of abuse. It starts slowly, with extra attention, isolation, or a bond that begins to feel too close.

Some early signs that often go overlooked include:

• A volunteer regularly requesting one-on-one time with certain athletes
• Private messaging or texting with a child after hours
• Bringing gifts, snacks, or special rewards only to select kids
• Insisting on driving a child alone to and from games or practices
• Making inappropriate jokes, sexual comments, or body-focused remarks

Many of these behaviors are dismissed as “just being nice” or “taking initiative.” But over time, they can create a dangerous dynamic, especially if the club doesn’t step in with clear boundaries.

What Sports Clubs Are Supposed to Do

Whether it’s a neighborhood soccer league or a statewide travel team, every sports organization has a duty to protect its athletes. That includes putting basic safety systems in place before they let adults interact with children.

Sports clubs should:

• Require background checks for all volunteers
• Create a formal policy on adult-minor interactions
• Enforce the “rule of two” (no adult alone with a child)
• Train volunteers on sexual misconduct and boundaries
• Respond immediately to parent concerns or complaints

These aren’t extra steps, they’re the bare minimum. When a club cuts corners or ignores risk, it creates an environment where abuse can thrive.

Understanding Legal Liability

So what does it actually mean for a club to be legally responsible? In New York, a sports organization can be held liable if it:

• Failed to properly screen a volunteer
• Didn’t supervise activities where abuse occurred
• Ignored previous complaints or warning signs
• Allowed someone with known behavior issues to continue working with children

In legal terms, this is called negligence. If the organization’s failure to act led to a child’s harm, the family may be able to file a civil lawsuit. These cases can hold the club accountable, and help families recover the cost of counseling, treatment, and other damage caused by the abuse.

What If the Volunteer Wasn’t Paid?

A common excuse clubs use is: “We didn’t hire them, they’re just a volunteer.” But that doesn’t make the organization less responsible. If the volunteer acted in an official capacity, coaching, assisting, transporting kids, they represented the club.

In the eyes of the law, that matters. If the club gave them access to kids, endorsed their involvement, or ignored red flags, they can be held liable, even if there was no paycheck involved.

Waivers Don't Excuse Misconduct

Another concern families bring up is the stack of paperwork they signed at the beginning of the season. Can a waiver prevent you from suing if something goes wrong?

The answer is no. Waivers often limit liability for accidental injuries during games or practices, but they do not protect an organization from legal responsibility in cases of sexual abuse or assault. You still have the right to pursue justice.

How Civil Lawsuits Help Families

Filing a lawsuit isn’t about making headlines or hurting the local team. It’s about creating accountability where it’s lacking, and giving survivors a path to healing. A civil claim can:

• Cover therapy and medical expenses for your child
• Recover compensation for emotional suffering
• Push the organization to adopt real safety reforms
• Encourage other parents to speak up if they’ve noticed concerns

We’ve seen firsthand how empowering it can be when families take this step. Not just for their own child, but for others who may have stayed silent.

What If the Abuse Happened Years Ago?

It’s never too late to ask questions. In New York, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits until age 55. That extended timeline was created to support victims who need years or decades, to process what happened and come forward.

Even if the abuse happened when your child was younger, or the person responsible is no longer involved with the club, the organization may still be liable. Every situation is unique, and it’s worth speaking with a legal professional to understand your options.

Mandatory Reporting and Who to Notify

If you suspect that your child or another child, has been harmed by a volunteer, you can report it to:

• Local law enforcement
• The head of the sports organization
• The school (if the club is school-affiliated)
• The New York State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, which receives reports and triggers official investigations

In many cases, club leadership are considered mandated reporters. If they failed to report known or suspected abuse, that could strengthen your legal case.

Civil Action Doesn’t Replace Support, It Complements It

Legal action is one path. Emotional recovery is another. Families often need both. While a lawsuit can provide justice and accountability, healing also happens through therapy, community, and long-term support.

The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence offers survivor-focused resources, counseling referrals, and guidance for families navigating these systems. Whether or not you pursue legal action, you deserve help.

You’re Not Overreacting, You’re Protecting Your Child

At Horn Wright, LLP, we understand the worry, fear, and guilt parents feel when something goes wrong in a space that was supposed to be safe. We also know that confronting a sports club or volunteer isn’t easy. It takes strength. But you’re not alone.

Our sexual abuse attorneys help families across New York take action, quietly and confidently. We explain your options, protect your child’s privacy, and hold negligent organizations accountable.

If something happened that shouldn’t have, we’re ready to help you take the next step. You don’t need all the answers. You just need to reach out.